Hi! and Welcome to Standout! The podcast that explores how young adults can navigate the challenges of life and standout! I'm your host Shaakya Nathavitharana. I hope you enjoy these episodes and become a Bigger, Better, Bolder, You!
Technology, Entrepreneurs & The Youth of Sri Lanka
What does the Tech Landscape in Sri Lanka appear to be? And to begin with is there a future in technology for the youth of Sri Lanka?
Exploring this topic with me is an eminent guest whose a man of many things. He’s a HealthTech Lead, Head of Product Development, Biomedical Engineering Consultant, Scientific Researcher, Senior Visiting Lecturer, and Chartered Engineer of Engineer Australia and Institute of Mechanical Engineers, with a degree in Medical Engineering (MEng) and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and Material Sciences in 2012 from Queen Mary University of London. My guest Dr. Angelo Karunarathne has a track record of working in academia and industry for over 12 years as a tech and business leader in the area of biomedical engineering and health and wellness product development and commercialization.His scientific research includes 40 high impact factor journal articles and 3 patents.
14 Jun 2024
Making Time For Things Your Passional About- Ashok Ferrey
In a fast paced world, caught in the rat race of living it seems to be that passion bears no significance. How do we make time for the things we are passionate about- but to begin with is passion even really important? Exploring an interesting topic with me is an eminent guest, one of my role models and someone I’ve been eagerly waiting to meet.
An indifferent mathematician, a builder, a personal trainer, a TedX speaker and a beloved author of many my guest this week - wears a myriad of hats and captivates the hearts of many with his resplendent tales. He’s the author of 7 books, 5 of which have been nominated for the Gratiaen and his novel ‘The Unmarriageble man’ which won him the Gratiaen prize in 2021. Joining me this week to explore the topic ‘Making time for your passion’ is none other than Ashok Ferrey.
30 May 2024
Empowering Students Who are Challenged With Nelum & Peter Wijayasekara
Discovering that I was a slow learner in many ways resulted in me being the ambitious dreamer I am yet also comprised of an arduous journey to prove my worth and believe in the dreams I painted. It has also opened my eyes to the struggles many students face when they are academically challenged due to learning difficulties . And while that struggle has inspired me to become an educator I also realise that its essential to empower students who are challenged due to a learning disability and prevailing hope and inspiring children to dream, despite their challenges is something we must all inspire them to do. And although we may understand the value of empowering we may struggle with discovering ‘How’ to empower them. So, let’s explore the how’s and why’s of the topic ‘ Empowering students who are challenged’. Our podcast today will be focusing on empowering students with learning disabilities.
This week I have two guests on the show -
They are parents to 3 equally inspiring and lovely children, Nathan, Aaron and Naomi. Aaron was diagnosed with Dyslexia initially when he was 5 years old. Given the challenges faced with dyslexia and with the intention of offering support and guidance to other parents who had dyslexic students they, nitiated the Power of Dyslexic Thinking as a CSR activity carried out by Nhance Recruitment to support students with Dyslexia. They also manage a parent support group titled “Dyslexia Sri Lanka’.
Our guests this week are Peter and Nelum Wijeyasekara.
Peter Wijayasekara is the Founder and Director/CEO of Nhance Recruitment. An experienced HR professional with over 22 years of experience in Banking, Insurance and HR. He also counts for 10 years of lecturing in field of HR management. Currently a senior visiting lecturer at the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management Sri Lanka. He has many qualifications under his belt and has completed his MBA from Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM).
Nelum Wijayasekara is a Director and COO of Nhance Recruitment and Founder of Insight Academy. She is an educator with over 19 years of experience as a teacher and Head Mistress of a leading International school. She is qualified in multiple disciplines and has completed her Master of Education from the Open University of Sri Lanka.
10 May 2024
Building Resilience With Steven Robinson
Is resilience really important? And if it is, when the world seems heavy and troubles to heavy to bear how do we find the strength and courage to keep going without giving in?
Loosing his right arm at the age of 18 - he has never let challenges define him nor stand in the way of his dreams. He’s a pilot, a competitive dressage champion - despite his fear of horses. A determined entrepreneur who has succeeded in the design, build & sale of jukeboxes and he also runs a property development business. He’s a key note speaker, resilience expert & author. Its with great pleasure and honour that I introduce to you my guest for This week! Steven Robsinson!
An enlightening conversation empowering everyone to pursue life most ambitious dreams!! It's a conversation that has enriched me greatly! I hope you find it enriching too!
26 Apr 2024
Challenging Traditional Paradigms with Gina Osborn
In a world where challenging tradition is taboo and frowned upon as women, do we embark on a journey to challenge the traditional paradigm? If so, how do we do that? How do we find the courage to challenge the norm, standout and be who we want to be?
Navigating chaos and rising against all odds- my guest this week- is someone who inspires us all to have courage and to know and understand that crisis of any nature can always be controlled. ‘Challenging Traditional Paradigms’ with me this week is Gina Osborn. She’s someone I’ve always been keen on interviewing and am so thrilled to have on the show! Gina, is a retired Cyber FBI Assistant Special agent in charge, , she’s responded to catastrophic terrorist attacks and cyber hacks as an FBI agent and executive while also chasing Cold War spies in the army. She’s a professional speaker, news contributor and host of the podcast titled ‘Lead like a lady’.
5 Apr 2024
Big Dreams & Backup Plans With Chad Bourquin
Do your dreams seem daunting? Are waiting for them to become a reality? But find yourself looking sideways wondering when it'll come true, but worse still considering a back up plan? Are you ready to give up on your dreams? Well, here's your sign not to!
Do we need a backup plan? Is it important? And better still how do we let our dreams take flight?
Exploring this topic with me this week on the standout podcast- is an interesting and inspiring guest. He’s the guitar player and vocals of the band Big Time Grain company. He's the owner of Bourquin music and media and generation relevant entertainment. My guest this week is Chad Bourquin and he inspires people with his music- to chase their dreams and to be the rockstar of your own life through his series ‘Dream Big’.
29 Mar 2024
Navigating Gender Stereotypes
In a world of opinions and of course social media, we are often told how to behave and how one should confined to the stereotypical views of gender. How do we navigate these stereotypes and standout in our own right without being bound by the chains of stereotypes?
Exploring this with me, is a childhood hero and someone I always wanted to interview. Making History as the first Sri Lankan to Summit mount Everest, my guest this week is none other than Jayanthi Kuru-uthumpala. She is both an inspiration and someone who fervently stands and fights for equality. Serving as the Goodwill Ambassador for Women's Rights from 2016 - 2019 by the Ministry of Women's Affairs in Sri Lanka Jayanthi was also including the BBC’s list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world in 2017.
In her journey to create an equal and just world ,She is currently a Gender and Human Rights Consultant to the Family Planning Association in Sri Lanka where she is working to address stigma and discrimination faced by people seeking HIV services, and is a co-creator of ‘Delete Nothing’ – a local web-based initiative aimed at addressing online gender-based violence in Sri Lanka. She has also been a gender consultant to the Dialogue Advisory Group, an Amsterdam-based foundation which facilitates political dialogue to reduce violent conflict since 2016.
She is the current Chairperson of the Women and Media Collective (Colombo) and the International Centre for Ethnic Studies in Colombo). She is also a trustee of the ‘Women of the World Foundation’ which is a UK-based charity. She is also the former Chairperson and current Committee Member of the Sexual Harassment Complaints Committee of the Sri Lanka National Olympic Committee.
So, sit back, listen, enjoy and seek answers!
22 Mar 2024
The Fear of Being Judged
In a world of opinions, its easy to worry about how one is perceived. But must we truly be afraid of being judged?
Join me in conversation with Shanuki De Alwis to find out more.
Shanuki is many things, she’s an Actor, TedX Colombo Speaker, Creator and the host of the talk show ‘shh’ which explores topics that are considered to be taboo- honestly and openly. She’s a communications & outreach advisor of Sri Lanka Barometer and an advocacy and communications consultant, trainer and speaker. She is also a Community Crisis First respondent. Shanuki is a Feminist in its true essence. She is an advocacy and communications consultant on the #bleedgood project which seeks to help put an end to a pressing problem in Sri Lanka - Period poverty.
So sit back, plug in your headphones & find answers & Standout!
15 Mar 2024
Dealing With Failure: Mrs. Jennifer Randive
As we journey through life, failure is inevitable. It is a part and parcel of life. Logically, yes- we understand that - but emotionally, now, that can often seem a little tougher than one would think. While we will never be able to stop failure so to say, we can always learn to look upon it positively and deal with it effectively. But how do we do that? Is that even possible? Well! It’s more than possible!! And bringing an insightful perspective to failure and how to deal with it effectively, I have yet another wonderfully inspiring guest.
This week we are standing out with ‘Jennifer Randive’ She is the Maverick CEO of focus direct Management Consultants. She’s an author, executive producer of a film titled "Mommy Says I'm Special". She is The Global Chair of The ALL G100 Oneness and Wisdom Wing of The Prestigious Non Profit Organisation G100. She also a Facilitator who Assists with, Out-Creating Status Quo That Allows For Everyone To Grow. My guest on this episode is Jennifer Randive! She’s a powerful blend of A Maverick, Mentor, Consultant, Coach, Speaker, Awareness Coach and Podcast Presenter. Jennifer, with her unique perspectives and inspiring stories brings forth clarity and confidence to say that dreams can come true and that failure- is not as bad as one may think of it to be. Jennifer Randive is an absolute pleasure to share a conversation with, and this was one such conversation that I hold dearly.
10 Mar 2024
Episode 1: The Importance of Being Honourable: Mr. Tony Nadaraja
Have you ever found yourself wondering how we can uphold honour? Or to begin with is honour even important?
Growing up, the concept of honour and what it meant to be honourable intrigued me greatly. In many ways it seemed like a double edged sword with no right or wrong answer. But as always, if one seeks- they are bound to find answers. On this weeks podcast I explore 'The Importance of Being Honourable' with a former CEO of Hidramani Industries and possibly one of the most successfully CEOS during his time. Someone who has inspired countless others and mentored many who have become coaches today. He’s a proud alumni of St. Anthony’s college Kandy, a great wild life enthusiast and an avid photographer. My guest on this episode is none other than Mr. Tony Nadaraja. So, sit back and explore the topic of honour and widen your horizons as I did mine!
Reach and audience
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YouTube views
97,491
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 30 / 100
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Quality
19
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
27
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